Red Wings, Stars clash in Detroit

(Sports Network) - Playing on back-to-back nights continues to be a hindrance
to the Dallas Stars.

The Stars try to take advantage of their recent day off as they visit Detroit on Tuesday night for the Red Wings' home opener.

Dallas kicked off its season with a 4-3 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on
Saturday, getting 37 saves from Kari Lehtonen. The Stars were right back in
action on Sunday, but were shut out 1-0 by the hosting Minnesota Wild despite
a solid NHL debut from goaltender Christopher Nilstorp.

The 28-year-old Swede yielded a first-period goal but ended with 31 saves in
all.

"I thought he was fantastic," said Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan. "I thought
he was very calm in the net tonight. He did a great job."

Still, Dallas dropped its first road game of the campaign as it continued a
negative trend from last season. The Stars were 1-11-2 in the second contest
of back-to-back nights in 2011-12.

"It's always tough, especially early in the season," said Jaromir Jagr of the
Stars playing on back-to-back nights. "But we knew it's going to be like that
with the short season. It's the same for everybody."

Jagr had three shots in 18 minutes of action on Sunday after logging two goals
and a pair of assists in his Dallas debut the previous night.

Detroit will open its Joe Louis Arena schedule after splitting its first two
on the road. The Red Wings were blanked 6-0 in St. Louis on Saturday before
rebounding on Monday with a 4-3 shootout victory over Columbus.

Pavel Datsyuk had the game-tying goal with 6:04 left in regulation after the
Red Wings failed to hold a one-goal lead and Damien Brunner had the lone goal
of the shootout, finding the back of the net in the fourth round.

"This was an important game tonight. You don't want to go down 0-2 to start
the season, especially in this shortened season. The two points are key,"
Howard said.

The Red Wings have won each of their past three home openers and will play two
straight and four of their next five at Joe Louis Arena.

Detroit swept its four-game set with Dallas last season and set a new NHL
record for consecutive home wins with a victory over the Stars in the most
recent encounter on Feb. 14. It was the Red Wings' 21st straight win at home
and they would add two more victories to that run before its end.